Paddle UK - Paddlesport Instructor Award

Paddlesport Instructor Joining Instructions

Course: Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Paddlesport Instructor Award

Date: 23rd - 24th July 2025

Times: 9.30am – 6.00pm (please arrive by 9.15am for a prompt start)

Venue: Leaside, 34 Spring Lane, Clapton, E5 9HQ

Tutors: Sam Saunders, Daisy Wild

Prerequisites:

It is important that you have all of the pre-requisites in place before the start of the course.
• Full National Association Membership
• Delivery Centre registration (see: https://paddlesuptraining.com/registration-guidance/ for more info)
• Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Awarding Body Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course or FSRT
• Personal paddling and rescue competence (see course guide for details)
• 14 years of age or older

Course Program: The Paddlesport Instructor qualification is designed for instructors running paddlesport taster/starter sessions within the safety management systems of clubs, centres or other organisations in ‘Very Sheltered Water’ environments and using craft deemed suitable for a first-time experience.

The primary role of the Paddlesport Instructor is to deliver safe and enjoyable taster/starter sessions based on their group’s needs and aspirations. The qualification will support the instructor with practical skills such as:
• kitting up a group and getting afloat,
• initial familiarisation activities,
• games and activities to support learning
• how to use mini journeys to support learning and inspire adventure and exploration.

The qualification aims to prepare candidates for their first paddlesport instructing role and is designed such that the instructor can choose the craft from which they work (kayak, open canoe, sit on top, or stand up paddleboard); and can look after others in a range of stable craft (kayaks, open canoes, sit on tops, and stand up paddleboards); in both single craft and mixed craft sessions.

This is a water-based course and active participation in the water-based activities is an essential part of the course and is required for successful completion. At the end of the course the Tutors will make a recommendation and help you set an action plan, based on your contribution during the course. More details of the Assessment criteria and topics covered can be found in the links below.

Assessment: There are several Assessment Criteria that you will need to demonstrate competency in over the course of the weekend. These are in three key areas:
• Professional standards
• Personal paddling skills
• Rescue skills
See the course guide for details.

Equipment: The course requires you to be involved in both presenting and participating on and in the water. Please bring your own personal paddling clothes and shoes and equipment that you usually use. You are welcome to bring your own boat / board and paddling gear, but if you need anything Leaside has a range of boats, basic paddles, PFDs etc., which you can use.
As the course is predominantly outside (including sections of the course that require periods of inactivity for discussion) please also bring sufficient warm clothes / sun cream and sun hat, food, drinks and snacks appropriate for the weather on the day.

Lunch: Lunch is not provided (you may wish to bring a packed lunch as there are limited food options near-by). Tea, coffee and water will be available.

Accommodation: Please note, accommodation is not provided. This is a day running course.

Pre-course Information: To aid you in preparing for the course, please ensure you have fully read all the course documentation and are familiar with the Assessment Criteria, which can be found in the links below.

Please also bring an editable copy of the Learner Development Pack to the course. This can be printed out and written on (if you choose to bring a tablet or other device, please download the documents ahead of time as we cannot guarantee wi-fi access, the course is water based and we accept no liability for loss or damage).##

More general info about the course can be found at:
https://paddlesuptraining.com/courses/paddlesport-instructor/

Course documents (including the Course Guide, Assessment Guidance and Learner Development Pack) can be found at:
https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/paddlesport-instructor-resources/

_Paddlesport Instructor eLearning: This FREE eLearning package covers a range of relevant syllabus topics, including content that will be covered on the course and additional content to support you in the field. You will get access to this resource upon successful course registration. I recommend that you have a look at this before the course, to familiarise yourself with some of the themes that we will be covering. _

It can be found here:
https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/resource/paddlesport-instructor-elearning/

Cancellation policy: Please note that courses may be cancelled if conditions are not suitable, for example if there are extreme weather conditions. If this is the case, I will email you at the first available opportunity to let you know and will set a new date.

GDPR: PaddleUK want to make sure all the personal information that we process about you is safe and secure.
Please visit the Privacy Centre for more info: https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/about/privacy-centre

Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything ahead of the course. You can email us at info@leaside.org.uk